Work force agency already on third leader

The state Department of Workforce Development is committed to carrying out Gov. Scott Walker’s job creation initiatives despite the agency being forced to turn to its third leader since Walker took office in January.

“The Department of Workforce Development has accomplished great things as an agency and we are continuing to move forward in an organized and deliberate fashion to advance the governor’s job creation agenda,” department spokesman John Dipko said.

Scott Baumbach, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, resigned Oct. 24, after less than five months in the position. Deputy secretary Reggie Newson has been appointed his successor.

“As you know, my focus has been to utilize our resources to help employers fill the jobs that are open in Wisconsin,” Baumbach wrote in his resignation letter. “In pursuing this goal, however, I’ve seen firsthand the disconnect between job seekers and employers. After speaking with many business leaders I believe I can do more to bridge this gap, but in a different capacity than I currently serve and now is the right time to make it happen.”

Baumbach said he had “ethical obligations” as a state employee and had to leave government before he could “truly pursue this new opportunity.” Baumbach hasn’t revealed what type of role he is pursuing and he couldn’t be reached for comment.

He began the year as deputy secretary of the Department of Workforce Development following Walker’s swearing-in as governor. He then became the department’s interim secretary after the abrupt resignation of Manny Perez after just five months on the job. In June, Walker named Baumbach as Perez’s permanent replacement.

Newson, who has replaced Baumbach, most recently was executive assistant at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. He previously served as operations director for the Department of Transportation’s southeast region, managing a $320 million budget and directing 500 employees. He was responsible for daily business operations including human resources, finance, policy implementation and quality control and oversight of project management.

“Reggie has the qualities necessary to lead the Department of Workforce Development, an agency that will play a key role getting Wisconsin back to work and ensuring the private sector can create 250,000 new jobs by 2015,” Walker said in a press release.

Dipko said the agency rolled out a strategic plan this week that aligns its activities under several key goals.

“The rollout of this plan follows the development earlier this year of our agency’s mission and vision,” Dipko said.

The Department of Workforce Development is the central state agency whose primary responsibilities include providing job services, training and employment assistance to people looking for work. It also works with employers to find workers to fill current job openings.

There are six divisions within the department.

Dipko also confirmed that another top administrator at the agency left her position last week.

Allison Rozek, 38, is no longer the administrator of the Administrative Services Division, Dipko said. Rozek, who was appointed in January, has been replaced on an interim basis by deputy administrator Brian Cox.